EMT Head and Spinal Emergencies

Common signs and symptoms of a serious head injury include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. a rapid, thready pulse. B. CSF leakage from the ears. C. widening pulse pressure. D. decerebrate posturing.

A. a rapid, thready pulse. Chapter 28, page 986, Head Injuries

Hyperextension injuries of the spine are MOST commonly the result of: Select one: A. hangings. B. falls. C. diving. D. compression.

A. hangings. Chapter 28, page 991, Spine Injuries

Once a cervical collar has been applied to a patient with a possible spinal injury, it should not be removed unless: Select one: A. it causes a problem managing the airway. B. the patient adamantly denies neck pain. C. lateral immobilization has been applied. D. sensory and motor functions remain intact.

A. it causes a problem managing the airway. Chapter 28, page 994, Patient Assessment

A tight-fitting motorcycle helmet should be left in place unless: Select one: A. it interferes with your assessment of the airway. B. the patient must be placed onto a long backboard. C. the helmet is equipped with a full face shield or visor. D. the patient complains of severe neck or back pain.

A. it interferes with your assessment of the airway. Chapter 28, page 1018, Helmet Removal

When activated, the sympathetic nervous system produces all of the following effects, EXCEPT: Select one: A. pupillary constriction. B. dilation of the bronchiole smooth muscle. C. increase in heart rate. D. shunting of blood to vital organs.

A. pupillary constriction. Chapter 28, page 984, Anatomy and Physiology

When assessing a patient with a head injury, you note the presence of thin, bloody fluid draining from his right ear. This indicates: Select one: A. rupture of the tympanic membrane following diffuse impact to the head. B. fractures to the internal structures of the ear following direct trauma. C. a linear skull fracture and a significant increase in intracranial pressure. D. significant pressure and bleeding in between the skull and dura mater.

A. rupture of the tympanic membrane following diffuse impact to the head. Chapter 28, page 987, Head Injuries

During your primary assessment of a 19-year-old unconscious male who experienced severe head trauma, you note that his respirations are rapid, irregular, and shallow. He has bloody secretions draining from his mouth and nose. You should: Select one: A. suction his oropharynx for up to 15 seconds. B. pack his nostrils to stop the drainage of blood. C. immobilize his spine and transport immediately. D. assist his ventilations with a BVM.

A. suction his oropharynx for up to 15 seconds. Chapter 28, page 1001, Emergency Medical Care of Head Injuries

What part of the nervous system controls the body's voluntary activities? Select one: A. Sensory B. Somatic C. Central D. Autonomic

B. Somatic Chapter 28, page 984, Anatomy and Physiology

An indicator of an expanding intracranial hematoma or rapidly progressing brain swelling is: Select one: A. an acute increase in the patient's pulse rate. B. a rapid deterioration of neurologic signs. C. a progressively lowering blood pressure. D. acute unilateral paralysis following the injury.

B. a rapid deterioration of neurologic signs. Chapter 28, page 1000, Patient Assessment

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess: Select one: A. sensory response, pupil reaction, and heart rate. B. eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. C. mental status, eye opening, and respiratory rate. D. verbal response, eye opening, and mental status.

B. eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Chapter 28, page 997, Patient Assessment

You should be MOST suspicious that a patient has experienced a significant head injury if his or her pulse is: Select one: A. rapid. B. slow. C. weak. D. irregular.

B. slow. Chapter 28, page 995, Patient Assessment

Which of the following statements regarding secondary brain injury is correct? Select one: A. It results from direct brain trauma following an impact to the head. B. Because cerebral edema develops quickly, it is considered to be a primary brain injury. C. Hypoxia and hypotension are the two most common causes of secondary brain injury. D. Signs are often present immediately after an impact to the head.

C. Hypoxia and hypotension are the two most common causes of secondary brain injury. Chapter 28, page 988, Head Injuries

Which of the following breathing patterns is MOST indicative of increased intracranial pressure? Select one: A. Slow, shallow, occasional gasps that progress to prolonged periods of apnea B. Increased rate with a normal inspiratory time and a prolonged expiratory time C. Irregular rate, pattern, and volume of breathing with intermittent periods of apnea D. Increased rate and depth with the distinct odor of acetone on the patient's breath

C. Irregular rate, pattern, and volume of breathing with intermittent periods of apnea Chapter 28, page 989, Head Injuries

The five sections of the spinal column, in descending order, are the: Select one: A. cervical, coccygeal, thoracic, sacral, and lumbar. B. coccygeal, sacral, lumbar, thoracic, and cervical. C. cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. D. thoracic, cervical, lumbar, coccygeal, and sacral.

C. cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. Chapter 28, page 985, Anatomy and Physiology

In contrast to a cerebral concussion, a cerebral contusion: Select one: A. results from a laceration to the brain tissue. B. does not cause pressure within the skull. C. involves physical injury to the brain tissue. D. usually does not cause a loss of consciousness.

C. involves physical injury to the brain tissue. Chapter 28, pages 990-991, Head Injuries

A patient with a head injury presents with abnormal flexion of his extremities. What numeric value should you assign to him for motor response? Select one: A. 4 B. 2 C. 5 D. 3

D. 3 Chapter 28, page 998, Patient Assessment

A man jumped from the roof of his house and landed on his feet. He complains of pain to his heels, knees, and lower back. This mechanism of injury is an example of: Select one: A. distraction. B. hyperextension. C. hyperflexion. D. axial loading.

D. axial loading. Chapter 28, page 992, Patient Assessment

The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the: Select one: A. meninges and spinal cord. B. cerebellum and brain. C. cerebrum and meninges. D. brain and spinal cord.

D. brain and spinal cord. Chapter 28, page 981, Anatomy and Physiology

The ideal procedure for moving an injured patient from the ground to a backboard is: Select one: A. the direct patient carry. B. the clothes drag. C. the use of a scoop stretcher. D. the four-person log roll.

D. the four-person log roll. Chapter 28, page 1007, Preparation for Transport

When immobilizing a trauma patient's spine, the EMT manually stabilizing the head should not let go until: Select one: A. the patient has been secured to the ambulance stretcher. B. the head has been stabilized with lateral immobilization. C. an appropriately sized cervical collar has been applied. D. the patient has been completely secured to the backboard.

D. the patient has been completely secured to the backboard. Chapter 28, page 1017, Emergency Medical Care of Spinal Injuries